Aaron Rodgers News Away From NFL Announced on Tuesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Feb 3, 2026 10:46 PM ET

Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers finished the 2025 NFL regular season with a 10-7 record, just squeaking out the AFC North title and the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. However, the Steelers' postseason run didn't last long, falling to the No. 5 seed Houston Texans 30-6 in the wild card round.

Rodgers has now finished his 21st NFL season, and his first in Pittsburgh. The former Green Bay Packers quarterback put together a solid year despite falling short of a second Super Bowl title, completing 327 of 498 passes for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Now, Rodgers must decide whether to return for a 22nd season or hang up his cleats.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) drops back to pass at Acrisure Stadium. Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

While Rodgers continues to ponder retirement, the four-time MVP continues to make a difference near his hometown of Chico, California. Following the 2018 fires that devastated residents of Butte County in northern California, Rodgers joined forces with the North Valley Community Foundation to start the Aaron Rodgers NorCal Fire Recovery Fund.

The fund was launched with $1 million from the Aaron Rodgers Foundation and aims to support recovery efforts from the Northern California fires. It has since helped dozens of local organizations, raising a total of $1.7 million. And in 2025, the first annual grants were awarded to 12 organizations, totaling $215,266.

And on Tuesday, it was revealed that the Aaron Rodgers NorCal Fire Recovery Fund is now accepting applications for its 2026 grant program, with a deadline to apply by March 3.

"The Aaron Rodgers NorCal Fire Recovery Fund at North Valley Community Foundation is accepting applications for its annual grant program," North Valley Community Foundation wrote. "This grant program is focused on efforts that address health and wellness – physical and emotional – for youth in Butte County, especially in the Camp Fire footprint. The deadline for organizations to apply is March 3."

The Aaron Rodgers NorCal Fire Recovery Fund at North Valley Community Foundation is now accepting applications for its annual grant program.

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With the finish to the 2025 NFL season, Rodgers now sees his one-year, $13.65 million deal come to an end, making him an unrestricted free agent. But with his former Packers coach, Mike McCarthy , replacing Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh, Rodgers could be more inclined to return as well.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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